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Scott Camil

By VVAW

Scott Camil, the VVAW regional Coordinator for Florida, and Nancy McCown were arrested and charged with kidnapping for ransom, a capital offense.

According to Sheriff's dept. aide, Captain Wilson, three "hippie" types got ripped off for some THC; so they kidnapped two teenage boys to recoup their losses.

Wilson said that the two victims were taken to VVAW headquarters, where they were held overnight, "guarded by six men armed with shotguns and carbines." Then, allegedly, they were turned loose after promising to return with $100.

Scott was said to have then gone to a pre-arranged spot, accepted a marked $100 bill, and was then arrested. The victims then spotted Nancy near the scene and suddenly remembered that she had been involved all along. She was also arrested.

Scott said he was told that the boys owed a debt to a friend, "and since I was the only one at the hosue who has transportation, I agreed to pick up the money." He said "I even signed a receipt and gave it to the teenagers---would I sign a receipt if I thought I was involved in a kidnapping?"

After considerable delay and hassle, Scott was released on $10,000 bail and went to the National Convention in Denver. As soon as he returned to Gainsville, his house and car were searched without benefit of a search warrant. Nothing incriminating was found, but he was arrested anyway on 3 charges of possession and delivery of marijuana and hallucinogens.

The basis for the second arrest is a tip from a person the police refuse to name. Again after much hassle, Scott was released on an additional $6,000 bond.

In all of these cases we see a constant theme. Community organizers and workers have been accused of crimes against the state, i.e. private property. Angela Davis has been acquitted, Bobby Seale and Erika Huggins have been freed. The Soledan Brothers were acquitted but are still in jail on other charges. The force which freed all of these brothers and sisters is not the fairness of the American judicial system, but the strength and unity of common people to stand up and demand a halt to the unjust prosecution of those who speak out against injustice and inhumanity in America. We must continue this fight to free all political prisoners---for it is only when we are all free, will any one of us be truly free and human.

Billy Dean Smith, Scoot Camil, and Gary Lawton very directly relate to VVAW's struggle. Billy is an active-duty brother, Scott is our regional coordinator in Florida, and Gary is a Marine Corps veteran. All are members of VVAW.

The fourth objective of VVAW ends by stating we demand that all political prisoners be freed. Political repression is not isolated to our organization or membership. It is wrong not to recognize the just struggles of others or to feel that ours are much more important. We are building communities based on trust, understanding, collectivism of old patterns built out of sexism, racism, and corporate profit.